How many IVF attempts can be made, and when should the plan be reviewed?
No number of IVF attempts guarantees success, and there is no universal medical limit. Age, ovarian reserve, previous outcomes, available embryos, health, emotional wellbeing and finances matter. The plan can be reviewed after each cycle rather than after a fixed number of failures.
Details
Define an attempt
A stimulation and retrieval cycle differs from transferring a frozen embryo created in that cycle. Ask whether figures describe pregnancy or live birth, and per transfer or per started cycle, to avoid comparing unlike statistics.
What is reviewed after an unsuccessful cycle?
The team considers ovarian response, fertilisation, embryo development and transfer, and whether targeted tests or changes are justified. Failure does not mean personal fault or that an expensive add-on will solve it.
Continuing is a shared decision
Request realistic estimates of benefit, risks and costs. Chromosome testing of every embryo is not a guaranteed solution for everyone. A pause, stopping treatment or seeking another opinion are legitimate options to discuss without pressure.
Related reading: What are the steps of IVF from stimulation to pregnancy testing?.